Education
Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund flags off 10th edition of Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition

The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has announced the call for entries for the much-anticipated 10th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition.
Entries for the competition open on Thursday, May 16, 2024, and will close on Friday, July 19, 2024. The competition remains a platform to appreciate and reward teachers for their significant contribution towards the development of the education sector in Nigeria, while inspiring excellence in teaching.
To participate, eligible teachers can visit the dedicated website (www.maltinateacheroftheyear.com) to complete the entry form online.
Alternatively, they can download the form, complete it, scan it, and email the completed form to maltinateacheroftheyear@heineken.com.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held in Lagos today, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Hans Essaadi who was represented by the Human Resource Director, NB Plc, Grace Omo-Lamai explained that the flag-off of this year’s edition represents the beginning of another journey to appreciating and celebrating the tireless efforts and dedication of teachers.
Essaadi stated that the company through the Felix-Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund remains unwavering in its commitment to supporting teachers in shaping future leaders and changing the lives of students for the better in Nigeria.
“The Maltina Teacher of the Year competition presents an opportunity to express our gratitude to teachers for the sacrifices they make, the extra hours they invest, and the guidance and mentorship they provide to ensure the success of our youth. Through this competition, we aim to recognize the efforts of teachers in the countless ways they have shaped our future. We acknowledge their selflessness, their passion for teaching, and their relentless pursuit of the growth and development of our nation,” he said.
He stated that it was exciting to note that other corporate organizations have come on board to be part of this transformative initiative, adding that Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Woodhall Capital Foundation have been enlisted as main partners while First City Monument Bank and Alert Group are supporting partners for the competition.
In her keynote address, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan, disclosed that the competition remains a veritable platform to reward and inspire teachers for their invaluable contribution to the development of education and society at large.
Morgan stated that the platform aims to recognize and appreciate teachers for the stewardship of our most precious national resource – the youth.
“Indeed, our teachers continue to play their role effectively and, as such, deserve to be appreciated, recognized, and celebrated for what they have done, and what they continue to do, to make society what it is today, particularly in the human and national development,” she said.
She disclosed that secondary school teachers in both public and private schools are eligible to participate in the 10th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition.
Speaking on the reward earmarked for the winners, she noted that the overall winner for the 2024 edition would receive a trophy, a total cash prize of N10 million, and a capacity development training opportunity abroad while his/her school receives either a block of classrooms or a computer laboratory.
“The first runner-up of the competition will equally receive a trophy and a total sum of N3,000,000, while the second runner-up receives a trophy and a total sum of N2,500,000. All State Champions will be rewarded with recognition plaques and a cash prize of N1, 000,000 each”, she added.
In her remarks, Winner of the 2023 Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition, Adeola Adefemi while praising NB Plc for the competition stated that her emergence as winner has attracted pride, fame, and fortune.
According to Adefemi, the success has become a confidence booster and attraction to several global opportunities in the teaching profession.
Goodwill messages of support were delivered by representatives of the corporate partners and key stakeholders in the education sector, such as representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
The Maltina Teacher of the Year competition was established in 2015 and funded through the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, which was set up in 1994 to facilitate an active contribution to the development of the education sector in Nigeria in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, SDG No.4.
ABOUT THE MALTINA TEACHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
In 2015, Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund introduced the Maltina Teacher of the Year, a national competition, to identify, honor, and reward outstanding teachers in Nigeria.
Maltina Teacher of the Year is proudly endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education and other education stakeholders including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
ABOUT NIGERIAN BREWERIES-FELIX OHIWEREI EDUCATION TRUST FUND
The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund was set up in 1994 with a startup capital of 100 million Naira to enable sustained quality education through structured intervention in the sector.
The Fund has footprints across the six geographical zones in Nigeria at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education. Through the Fund, NB Plc has constructed and furnished over 400 classrooms, sanitary facilities, and libraries in 74 communities across the country. The Fund has also granted scholarships to deserving students in tertiary institutions.
Education
Kano Govt. insists schools remain closed till April 6

The Kano State Government has directed all private and voluntary schools in the state to strictly adhere to the 2024/25 school calendar issued by the Ministry of Education.
The Director of Special Duties, Ministry of Education, Mustapha Yahya, made this known in a statement on Thursday and obtained by PUNCH.
“All primary and post-primary schools in Kano state must close on Friday, February 28, 2025, and reopen on Sunday, April 6, 2025,” it reads.
The statement further warned that any school that fails to comply will face penalties. “Schools that fail to comply with this directive will face appropriate sanctions,” it stated.
He said the directive aligns with the state government’s policy under Governor Abba Yusuf to enhance teaching and learning while ensuring balanced and sustainable school operations.
“This measure is to ensure improved teaching and learning while promoting balanced and sustainable growth in schools across the state,” the statement added.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to providing high-quality education and enforcing adherence to the approved calendar.
Education
Tinubu approves conversion of YABATECH to university

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa yesterday disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to a university.
He broke the good news to the management, staff and students of the 78-year-old institution during a working visit to YABATECH.
His words: “The rector said some minutes ago that the management, staff and students of the college have been praying and fasting that it be converted to a university. Somehow, you have kind of ambush me, but I must let you know that when I discussed the issue with President Bola Tinubu, he did not waste time in giving approval. I am just waiting for the memo and other necessary protocols from the appropriate quarters.
“This school is a legacy and with over 200 staff members holding doctorate degrees in various fields, it is more than ready and fit to become a university. All the credit about this should go to the President, who loves education and is concerned about giving the best to the youths, who are our future leaders.”
The education minister Alausa went round the institution to commission and inspect some ongoing projects, expressed satisfaction with the maintenance culture of the management that has kept the facilities in good shape despite their age.
He commended YABATECH management for pursuing excellence, adding, “we need innovation and investments in technology for development and I can assure you that the federal government will back you up.”
Alausa observed that one of the reasons the Tinubu administration is focusing on technical and vocational education as well as entrepreneurship is to stem the “Japa Syndrome” among the youths.
Said he: “We are not taking the issue of Artificial Intelligence, robotics, coding and others with levity. We know that if our youths are good at those things, they can be in Nigeria and be working for firms in many parts of the world and they will be earning foreign exchange. That will help stem this “Japa syndrome” of a thing, where people would travel abroad to do menial jobs.”
The minister said that for over three decades, Nigeria abandoned technical and vocational education and focused on producing graduates, who are always after white collar jobs and that now, the focus has changed.
“In Europe and other places, the focus has been on incorporating TVET to become a core aspect of their education system and that is what we are doing now. We need education that would aid manufacturing and technological innovations and that will also lead to a robust private sector which will drive societal growth and development, ” Alausa stated.
In his remarks, the Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said with over 200 PhD holders in its services, YABATECH was more than qualified to become a university.
He added: “While we are praying that we become a university, we don’t want to become just one of those universities. We want to be a university of Technical and Vocational Education that would bring innovation and also solve societal problems and challenges and contribute greatly to the advancement of our country. We have the manpower and we just need the support of the government in this regard,” the rector noted.
He highlighted various achievements recorded under his administration and vowed that the management would not relent in raising the stakes higher.
The Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Funso Afolabi, lauded the education minister for the visit and appealed to him in supporting their demands.
“The bill that would state the change in status of YABATECH and the new name it would bear is expected to be sent to the National Assembly for passage and presidential assent,” Afolabi stated.
Education
FG makes U-turn on proposed scrapping of JSS, SSS system of education

Federal Government has made a U-turn on the proposed scrapping of the Junior and senior secondary school system replacing it with 12 years compulsory education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, on Friday, that policy is at the proposal level and final decision has not been taken on the matter.
It was reported on Friday that the National Council of Education (NCE) has approved the scrapping of senior secondary system of education.
More details later..
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